Ten Tips of Wedding Planning Advice
Ten Tips of Wedding Planning Advice that contains straightforward, no BS advice for the newly engaged couple. I read a lot of “how to” articles and it seems like the authors are always trying to promote or sell something rather than talk straight to the reader.
Here are our ten tips for wedding planning –
DIY –
I don’t recommend going this route unless this is your thing or you have a creative BFF or you are related to one of the HGTV/DIY Network stars. When I go onto the DIY websites, they make everything look easy, just like some of the cooking websites. I don’t recommend learning how to do a new craft for your own wedding.
Choose a Wedding Date –
Choose a date that works for significant family members and friends. We always ask our clients to check with both sides before signing on the dotted line. Unless you come from a billionaire family and can fly your guests in on the date you choose and pay for everything, please consider sending out an email asking for feedback on your preferred dates.
Event Planning Assistance –
Unless you are a type A and need to do everything yourself, consider accepting friend’s offers to help with some of the planning. If however, one of your friends is super incompetent, then you will definitely want to politely decline their offer. Once you do accept an offer, figure out a project and give them the detail that they need to pull it off.
Be Kind to Family and Friends –
Planning a wedding while trying to work and go to school (we’ve had clients studying for their bar exam while planning a wedding) can be stressful. I recommend hiring a great wedding planner (like yours truly) and surround yourself with supportive and awesome bridesmaids. Treat them nicely and please don’t ask them to spend a fortune on a dress that they will probably only wear once. The wedding costs will add up fast for your wedding party – travel, hotel, gifts, wedding attire and accessories. Unless you are paying for their attire, we recommend keeping the costs around $200.00.
Thank You Notes –
I recommend writing the thank you notes as soon as the gifts arrive. I know it is a pain, but you take away the risk of forgetting who gave what and you can get it out of the way.
Your Dress –
I always recommend looking for the dress after the venue is booked. Once you have the venue then you can design your wedding.
Choosing What is Important to You –
Don’t let anyone talk you into doing what you don’t want to do. I had a florist try and talk me into a trendy boutonnière. I stayed true to what I love and went with a beautiful, but simple red rose boutonnière (I love flowers but roses are my favorite). Be willing to say no thank you and if you need to buy time, I always say, “let me get back to you so I can digest it.”
Discounts –
Ask for them (nicely of course) and see what the event professional can do for you.
Party Favors –
I think most of the time these are a waste of money unless it is food or beautiful candles. I love when guests can go home with delicious macaroons or a late night snack in cute boxes. The inexpensive $2.00 bottle of wine with your wedding date or photo might not see the light of day after the wedding.
Enjoy Your Wedding day –
Once your wedding day is here, make sure that you have the right event professionals to make it all come together. You only get this day once, unless you are Liz Taylor or JLo, so enjoy it. Everyone has heard how the day goes by really fast, well it is true.
XO, Gianna
